If you are a Berkeley Resident, you wheel out your recycling carts to the curb each week where it is collected for processing by the Ecology Center or the City of Berkeley. Our trucks transport and empty your recycling at the Community Conservation Center’s (CCC) Materials Recovery Facility (MRF) at Second and Gilman St. where materials are processed, sorted, and prepared for shipment to markets.
Drop-off
Although some items can’t be collected for curbside pickup, the CCC offers drop-off bins for several recyclable materials free of charge including:
- VHS tapes (Update 1.10.23: No longer accepting VHS tapes)
- CDs (Update 1.10.23: No longer accepting CDs)
- Rechargeable batteries
- Tool batteries
- Automotive batteries
- Books
- Fluorescent bulbs
- Small metal appliances (toasters, blenders, fans)
The CCC also offers drop-off for certain materials for a fee. Large appliances such as water heaters, stoves, washers, dryers, dishwashers, and furnaces are accepted for a 20$ charge per appliance.
Buyback
The CCC also provides a recycling buy back program, which allows community members to sell their high market value recyclables, separate from the drop-off. The buy back program is located next to the Recycling drop-off. Materials include mixed paper, aluminum cans, and #1 (PET) and #2 (HDPE) and they must be prepared prior to drop-off. Read more about the buyback program and material preparation here.
What is NOT ACCEPTED at the CCC?
Electronics: No Televisions, cellphones, ink cartridges, microwaves, stereos, radios, electronic toys
Computers: No Monitors, printers, CPUs
Refrigerated Appliances: No Refrigerators, freezers, air conditioners, microwave ovens
Asbestos: No insulation, heat ducting, old furnaces etc
Cylinders: No gas, propane or compressed air cylinders
Tanks and drums: No gas tanks. No 55-gallon drums unless cut in half or with visible four inch hole
Miscellaneous: No transformers, printed circuit boards, lead or heavy metals.
Where can I take the materials that can’t be recycled at the CCC?
Alameda County Household Hazardous Waste Collection Facility
Much of the materials in this “other category” belongs under Household Hazardous Waste. According to the CCC, Household Hazardous Waste, sometimes called “Universal Waste,” (UW), are products that contain harmful chemicals which, if put in the trash, may harm people or the environment. UW may contain corrosive chemicals that can cause burns, as well as toxic metals like cadmium and lead. Selected HHW can be dropped off at Berkeley Recycling including Fluorescent bulbs, Household Batteries, Tool Batteries, Automotive Batteries, Appliances $20 per unit (no refrigerators), Light ballasts (labeled “PCB free”).
Other Household Hazardous Waste listed below can be dropped off at the Alameda County Household Hazardous Waste Collection Facility.
- Paint, stain, varnish, thinner and adhesives
- Auto products such as old fuel, motor oil, oil filters and batteries
- Household batteries, fluorescent bulbs, cleaners and sprays
- Garden products including pesticides and fertilizers
- Home generated “sharps” waste in approved containers
- Prescription and over the counter medicines, except for controlled substances
E-Waste Collective
If the item you’re trying to dispose of is electronic it can most likely be disposed of at the Alameda County Computer and Technology Resource Center, also known as the EWaste Collective. The EWaste collective is a 501c3 nonprofit organization that offers a training program, where volunteers learn to reclaim, refurbish, and restore computers for home, school, and office applications. Visit their website to see a full list of what they accept.
Berkeley Transfer Station (w/ fees)
- Refrigerated Appliances $43
- Mattresses and Box Springs (1st 2 are free) $14
- Automobile Tire $10
- Propane Tank $20
- TV/monitor/CRT per each item over 2 (1st 2 are free) $9
Visit their website to see a full list of materials accepted and fees.
We understand that remembering all of these recycling rules can be difficult. Make sure to check out our Resourceful App to make disposing of your household materials easier!
Thanks for reading, we want to wish you a Happy Plastic Free July! Check out our PFJ page for upcoming events surrounding the reuse movement, plastic-free initiatives and policy, and visit our Ecology Store for the latest plastic-free, sustainable products – take 15% of with PlasticFreeJuly at checkout (online or in-store)!
I need my couch set picked up up and I dont know where to send it
Hi Letta,
We recommend trying to find someone who can use the couch set, or donating it. If that is not feasible, the City of Berkeley offers a free bulky waste pickup for households. You can read more about it and how to schedule it here: https://www.cityofberkeley.info/Public_Works/Zero_Waste/Bulky_Waste_Pickup.aspx
Hi there,
I have a bunch of wire hangers. Can they be recycled at your place?
Thank you,
Kaila
DO NOT PLACE IN BLUE CURBSIDE RECYCLING CART. Wire hangers are usually steel, and could be a part of any “drop-off” recycling load going to Berkeley Recycling (Second St. @ Gilman).
Even though they are metal, they must NOT be placed in the (blue) recycling cart, since they can cause serious problems in the recycling trucks and sorting machinery, including possible injury to staff. If they can not be donated to a thrift store, they should be placed in the gray landfill cart. If the wire hangers are not rusty or dirty, they could be donated to thrift stores (Goodwill, Salvation Army, St. Vincent dePaul, etc.).
If the wire hangers are no longer useful to thrift stores, and you have a huge number of them, you could possibly sell them as scrap metal, to a business like Schnitzer Steel, 1101 Embarcadero West, Oakland, CA 94607 (510-444-3919). Make sure that you call first to know their times of business.
El Cerrito Recycling takes hangars in their Exchange Center.
Where can I drop of my electrical stove coil elements?
Stove coil elements can be dropped off separately (or with the entire electric range or with the other kitchen appliances) at the CCC at 669 Gilman/1231 Second St (Berkeley Recycling Center).
Where can I recycle a microwave oven in good working condition?
Hi Eric, thanks for your question. You can bring your microwave to eWaste Collective at 620 Page St, Berkeley. Their hours are 9-5 Monday-Friday and 10-5 Saturday.
If you’re willing to give your microwave a new life, you could try to give it away on craigslist, nextdoor, or free cycle.
Where is the best place to dispose of old house wiring, coaxial cable, and old telephone wiring?
Thank you
Hi Sheryl, thanks for the question. You can bring old wiring to eWaste Collective at 620 Page St, Berkeley. Their hours are 9-5 Monday-Friday and 10-5 Saturday.
Another option is El Cerrito Recycling & Environmental Resource Center at 7501 Schmidt Ln, El Cerrito. Their hours are 8:30-4 Monday-Friday and 9-4:45 Saturday.
Can I drop off a working vcr and a working electric juicer?
Where can I drop off laptop batteries?
Where can I drop off medical devices like empty inhalers?
Thank you.
Hi K, for your VCR and juicer I would suggest eWaste Collective at 620 Page St – you may want to call to double check those specific appliances will be accepted.
Your laptop batteries can be dropped off at the Berkeley Recycling Facility at the corner of Second St and Gilman. You might see if eWaste Collective will accept these also so that you can just make one stop.
Empty inhalers can be dropped off at the Transfer Station at 1201 Second St with other medications, or you could call your local pharmacy to see if they have a drop off program.
Hope this helps!
Hi,
I want to double check that I can drop off laptop batteries at the Berkeley Recycling Facility as mentioned directly above on March 2 by Jessica.
Because farther up this page it says:
“WHAT IS NOT ACCEPTED AT THE CCC?
Electronics: No Televisions, cellphones, ink cartridges, microwaves, stereos, radios, electronic toys
Computers: No Monitors, printers, CPUs, laptop batteries”
Thank You
Hi Richard, thank you for this question – we definitely want to be sharing clear and accurate info.
I just double checked with our recycling team and laptop batteries can be dropped off at the CCC rechargeable battery drop off bin. They do have to be separated from the rest of the laptop though (eWaste Collective will take both laptop battery and laptop). I’ll update the rest of this post to reflect this info.
Hi,
I am looking to recycle my old vacuum. Do you recycle upright vacuums? It partially works. If not, any suggestions as to where they would?
Btw, Best Buy no longer accepts old vacuums 🙁
Mike, you could take your non-working vacuum cleaner to Berkeley Vacuum & Sewing Center
2108 Berkeley Way, Berkeley, California 94704
http://www.berkeleyvacuum.com/(link is external)
(510) 540-6248
Hours:
M 9:30am-1pm
Tu – F 9:30am-5:30pm
Sa 9:30am-3pm
Where can I recycle my clean dry futon? According to the internet, it is considered a “mattress”? So can I bring it to 2nd street and pay the fee? Thank you
Hello Louise,
Thank you for your inquiry, Berkeley’s Transfer Station at 2nd street is registered with the Mattress Recycling Council and will accept your futon for free if you are a Berkeley Resident. If you have further questions, please don’t hesitate to reach out to our Help Desk (510) 548 2220 x233 or helpdesk@ecologycenter.org
Where can I dispose of an air purifier?
Hi Lisa,
Air purifiers can be dropped off for free at e-waste collective on 620 Page Street Berkeley, California 94710. Please remove the air filter and dispose of the filter in the gray landfill cart before dropping off the air purifier. e-waste collective drop off hours are Monday‑Friday 9am‑5pm, Saturday 10am‑5pm (closed Sundays). They also offer pick up services (there may be a fee), fill out the form at the bottom of this page to contact them.
Looking for help with how to dispose of an item? Try our online tool, Resourceful! Resourceful provides specific information especially for Berkeley’s recycling and waste systems.
Hi there, where can I dispose of a ceramic glass cooktop?
Hello Jaime, thank you for your question. Urban Ore can potentially accept your cooktop for a free drop off at their location (900 Murray St, Berkeley, CA 94710). Please send a picture of your cooktop to their email at receiving@urbanore.com they will let you know if they can accept it or not. Hope this helps!
I need to drop off a projection television, or have it picked up curbside? What is the cost?
Hello Rose,
Most projectors still have components that contain hazardous materials, such as mercury. Because of this, they will not be accepted in your landfill, compost, or recycling carts. Instead, you must dispose of them at a hazardous waste facility. The closest facility is the Alameda County Household Hazardous Waste Program (Oakland Facility), open Wednesday through Friday from 9:00 am to 2:30 pm, and Saturday from 9:00 am to 4:00 pm. Their phone number is (800) 606-6606. Hope this helps!
For televisions, the Berkeley Transfer Station at 1201 2nd St. accepts 2 free TV drop-offs. The transfer station is open Monday through Saturday from 8:00 am to 4:30 pm. Additionally, the Ewaste Collective on 620 Page Street accepts free drop-offs of televisions (excluding DLP TVs). They are open Monday through Friday from 9:00 am to 5:00 pm and Saturday from 10:00 am to 5:00 pm.
Hello, can I drop off empty DVD cases (hard plastic- not jewel cases but the larger DVD case) to recycle? Just the empty DVD case, without the DVD itself.
Hi Emily,
Unfortunately the DVD cases are not accepted at the Berkeley Recycling Center and unfortunately belong in the landfill.